Holder for sheet like materials

ABSTRACT

A holder for sheet like materials such as blueprints, tracings, newspapers, and paper and cloth samples, comprises a sheet holder frame having longitudinal grooves in which wood slats or the like are mounted at their opposite ends so as to be freely slidable therein. The slats or the like are arranged side by side in laminar fashion, and are forced together by springs, such that a sheet like member can be inserted between adjacent slats by wedging them apart, inserting the sheet, and permitting the slats to be forced together again by the springs. The springs may be tension springs or compression springs, and the slats may be rounded at their edges or have openings formed therein to permit entry of a pin to separate adjacent slats. The sheet holder frame preferably is pivotally mounted on a support frame such that the holder frame may be moved to the vertical position for storage, and to the horizontal position for insertion and removal of sheets, as well as for viewing of the sheets, much in the manner of the pages of a book. Notches are provided in the frame to permit insertion or removal of slats.

Unite States aterit 1191 Larson 1 51 Apr. 2, 1974 [54] HOLDER FOR SHEET LIKE MATERIALS [76] Inventor: Victor E. Larson, 6234 Walker Ave., Lincoln, Nebr. 68507 [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 312,793

[52] US. Cl. 281/45 [51] Int. Cl B426 17/00 [58] Field of Search 281/45, 1, 46, 47, 48;

Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-J. H. Wolff [57] ABSTRACT A holder for sheet like materials such as blueprints, tracings, newspapers, and paper and cloth samples, comprises a sheet holder frame having longitudinal grooves in which wood slats or the like are mounted at their opposite ends so as to be freely slidable therein. The slats or the like are arranged side by side in laminar fashion, and are forced together by springs, such that a sheet like member can be inserted between adjacent slats by wedging them apart, inserting the sheet, and permitting the slats to be forced together again by the springs. The springs may be tension springs or compression springs, and the slats may be rounded at their edges or have openings formed therein to permit entry of a pin to separate adjacent slats. The sheet holder frame preferably is pivotally mounted on a support frame such that the holder frame may be moved to the vertical position for storage, and to the horizontal position for insertion and removal of sheets, as well as for viewing of the sheets, much in the manner of the pages of a book. Notches are provided in the frame to permit insertion or removal of slats.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures HOLDER FOR SHEET LIKE MATERIALS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to holders for sheet like members, such as blueprints, tracings, drawings, sketches, briefs, newspapers, paper and cloth patterns or samples, etc., and particularly to such a holder wherein the sheet like members can be easily inserted and removed, wherein the sheet like members can be easily viewed without removal, and wherein the entire device can be stored in a minimum of space.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The difficulties in storing and handling large pieces of sheet material are well known. Such materials, notably plans or blueprints, are usually stored in storage racks or pigeonholes, from which they must be frequently removed for use, and reinserted after use. The end result is closely akin to shredded paper after substantial use. Also, with many such storage racks or pigeonhole arrangements, the time required to remove the sheets, take them to a viewing area, and thereafter replace them, is substantial, and hence wasteful. Additionally, persons who customarily use such large plans or prints are aware that handling and viewing them is somewhat like wrestling with a chimpanzee, unless they are taken to a large table where they can be spread out fully. The basic purpose of the instant invention is to provide apparatus for holding and/or displaying such sheet like materials of substantial size, but which apparatus is readily adaptable to sheet like materials of very small sizes, such as fabric swatches, wallpaper samples,

etc.

Basically in accordance with my invention, I provide a holder for sheet like materials wherein the materials are easily insertable and removable from either side without disturbing adjacent materials, wherein the materials can be viewed conveniently and easily without removal, wherein the holder can be stored in a minimum storage space when not being used, and wherein the holder is readily adaptable for use with a wide range of sizes of materials. My holder/displayer generally comprises a holder frame having two spaced elongate parallel side frame members, a multiplicity of separate elongate sheet supporting members, means slidably supporting the sheet supporting members adjacent their opposite ends by respective ones of the side frame members such that the sheet supporting members extend transversely between the side frame members in side-by-side laminar relationship but are freely slidable in directions transversely of their length and along the length of the two side frame members, and means for resiliently urging the sheet supporting members into abutting engagement with adjacent sheet supporting members, whereby adjacent ones of the sheet supporting members can be slidably supported to permit insertion of a sheet like member therebetween to be gripped and supported therebetween when the sheet supporting members are released and permitted to move back toward each other under the urging of the resilient means, without affecting any sheet like members gripped between other sheet support members. Preferably the sheet supporting members are slidably supported in grooves formed in facing surfaces of the side frame members, although other slidable supporting arrangements could be used. The holder frame preferably comprises at least one cross frame member extending transversely between the side frame members and rigidly fixed thereto, and the resilient means comprise springs for urging the sheet support members slidably toward the cross frame member. There may be two cross frame members located so as to form ends of the frame, and compression springs may be used to cause constant pressure from the center position outwardly toward the ends of the frame, whereby one group of the sheet supporting members will be urged toward one end frame member, and the other group toward the other end frame member. Conversely, the cross frame member may be located intermediate the ends of the side frame members, and springs may urge the sheet support members in two groups inwardly against the single cross frame member. The sheet support member in a preferred embodiment may be hardwood slats which are rounded at their edges to allow not only easy insertions of material, but also to facilitate separating adjacent slats by inserting spreader pins in the manner of wedges. Any other material that would provide the same general effect when arranged side by side in laminar fashion could be used, the only requirement being that they have the required holding ability when drawn together or forced together by the springs. The holder frame itself is rotatably supported by a support frame for rotation about an axis transverse to the side frame members such that the holder frame can be oriented horizontally with either face up, or vertically for storage. With this arrangement, the holder frame can be oriented horizontally with one face up for insertion of sheet like members downwardly between adjacent slats, vertically for storage, or horizontally with the opposite face up for viewing of the sheets supported thereby, the sheets being viewable much in the manner of the pages of a book. Of course, the sheets can be inserted or removed from either face of the frame, and this is a distinct advantage.

Other and further features and advantages of the invention, as well as its use, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the ensuing description of a preferred embodiment and alternative embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional detail taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detail as viewed along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional detail taken along line 4-4 of FIG. I. K I

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary illustration of an exemplary manner of separating adjacent slats through the use of a separator pin.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment using exteriorly mounted tension springs.

FIG. 7 is a detail of the spring arrangement.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary illustration of the alternative form of slats holding a sheet of material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet holder frame generally indicated at l is rotatably supported by a support frame generally indicated at 2. Support frame 2 comprises upright legs 3 and supporting feet 4, connected by an unnumbered cross member in a conventional manner. Legs 3 are formed at their upper ends with notches 5 for receiving pivot bolts or pins 6, which extend from the holder frame 1 and provide an axis of rotation for the holder frame.

Holder frame 1 comprises end frame members 7 and side frame members 8. Side frame members 8 are formed with grooves 9 in their inner faces, and a multiplicity of slats 10 have their ends slidably supported in the opposite grooves 9. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slats 10 preferably are formed with rounded or beveled edges. End frame member 7 are also mounted slidably by their ends in the groove 9, but are arranged to be held releasably in fixed positions by bolts 11 and nuts 12a. Access holes 12 are provided in end frame members 7 for the nuts 12a. Bolts 11 extend through slots 15 formed in side frame members 8 so as to permit slidable adjustment of end frame members 7 back and forth, to close or open notches 16 which open into grooves 9 to permit insertion and removal of slats 10. It will be clear that loosening of nuts 12a on bolts 11 will permit end frame members 7 to be slid outwardly to uncover notches 16 for insertion or removal of slats 10, after which end frame members 7 are slid inwardly again to close notches l6, and the bolts are then tightened so as to hold end frame members 7 rigidly in place. Two floating pressure slats 13 are slidably supported at their ends in grooves 9 so as to be slidable toward and away from each other, and they are urged outwardly away from each other by compression springs 14 which are nested in spring holes 130 formed in floating pressure slats 13, as best seen in FIG. 4. As illustrated in the drawings, floating pressure slats 13 are dimensioned so as to be substantially more rigid than the slats 10.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the slidably supported slats 10 are urged outwardly by floating pressure slats 13 under the resilient urging of compression springs 14, such that adjacent slats 10 will be abutted tightly against each other sufficiently to grip and support sheet members which may be therebetween. To

separate adjacent slats for insertion for removal of asheet or group of sheets, pins 17 are inserted between the adjacent slats near the side frame members 8, thus forcing the adjacent slats apart, and permitting insertion of a sheet or sheets between these slats. When the sheet or sheets are properly positioned, the pins are pulled, allowing the slats to return into abutting engagement, thus holding the sheets firmly. The slats may, of course, be indexed in any convenient manner, such as by the application of adhesive tape. in the preferred manner of use, the holder frame is oriented horizontally for insertion of sheets, the sheets are inserted downwardly such that their upper edges project only very slightly above adjacent slats, such that all stored sheets depend downwardly normal to the plane of the holder frame. With all sheets gripped, and with sheets between many of the adjacent slats, rotation of the holder frame through l80 allows viewing the copies without removal, the copies being accessible much in the manner of the pages of a book. When the sheets are not being viewed, the holder frame preferably is rotated to the vertical position so as to require minimum storage space. It will be readily apparent, however, that sheets can be removed or inserted from either face, and with the holder frame in substantially any orientation.

1n the illustrated preferred embodiment, when the spreader pins are fully inserted'near the left and right hand ends of the slats, an opening of approximately 34; inch is provided, thus allowing easy insertion or removal of materials, this insertion or removal also being facilitated by the beveled or rounded edges. Although not illustrated, the holder frame can be locked in the horizontal position through any convenient arrangement, such as by a locking member which could be pivotally mounted on one or both legs 3 so as to be movable beneath the side frame member 8 to prevent rotation thereof. Alternatively, a locking nut or the like might be provided on bolts 6 which form the pivot axis.

The alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 employs many of the basic elements of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, and therefore parts which correspond are indicated by the prime of the corresponding reference character, and need not be referred to specifically. in the alternative embodiment, an optional center frame member 20 may be rigidly located in the grooves 9' along the pivot axis. Two floating pressure slats 13' are slidably mounted in the groove adjacent the end frame members 7', and carry at their ends pins 18, to which are connected tension springs 14', the tension springs 14' being conveniently anchored by conventional hooks 19 to the side frame members 8'. The tension springs, therefore, urge the outboard floating pressure slats 13' toward the center, and hence urge adjacent slats 10' into firm abutting engagement. Pins 18, as shown, extend through slots in side frame members 8. In this embodiment, the slats 10' are shown as being of rectangular cross section, and hence openings 21 are provided at the ends of adjacent slats for insertion of tapered separating pins to separate the adjacent slats.

As previously pointed out, the slidable supportifor the slats need not specifically be by a groove as shown. Any slidable guiding arrangement could be used. For instance, the slats could have transverse bore holes adjacent their ends, through which would pass a rod or the like. Such an arrangement might be advantageous in smaller embodiments utilizing thin slats.

As an example of a particular embodiment of the invention, of a relatively large size, the outer dimensions of the holder frame might be 28 inches by 36 inches, holding approximately slats. Each pair of adjacent slats might hold from one to ten or more copies, based upon the weight, thickness and texture of the copy material. The slats might be of oak wood, and of dimensions one quarter inch by three quarters inch by 27 inches. The side frame and end frames could be of three quarter inch by one and one half inch material, as would the floating pressure slat or slats. Five No. 6 compression springs (16 ounces) should be suitable.

Of the two disclosed embodiments, the first embodiment is the preferred one, primarily because it is less expensive to manufacture. Both embodiments operate entirely satisfactorily, as would other embodiments not specifically disclosed herein.

It will be understood that the illustrated and described embodiments are exemplary of the invention and not limiting of it, and that the scope of the invention is as defined in the subjoined claims interpreted in the light of the foregoing description and illustrations.

I claim:

1. A holder for sheet like materials comprising a holder frame having two spaced elongate parallel side frame members, a multiplicity of separate elongate sheet supporting members, means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members adjacent their opposite ends by respective ones of said frame members such that said sheet supporting members extend transversely between said side frame members in side-by-side laminar relationship but are freely slidable in directions transversely of their length and along the lengths of said two side frame members, two end frame members extending transversely between said side frame members and rigidly fixed thereto adjacent the ends of said side frame members, and means for resiliently urging said sheet supporting members into abutting engagement with adjacent sheet supporting members, said resilient means comprising spring members located intermediate the end frame members, separating the sheet supporting members into at least two groups, and resiliently urging each group slidably toward its adjacent end frame member, whereby adjacent ones of said sheet supporting members can be slidably separated to permit insertion of a sheet like member therebetween to be gripped and supported therebetween when said sheet supporting members are released and permitted to move back toward each other under the urging of said resilient. means, without affecting any sheet like members gripped between other sheet support members.

2. A holder as'claimed in claim 1 wherein said means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members comprise grooves formed in facing surfaces of said side frame members and slidably embracing the ends of said sheet supporting members.

3. A holder as claimed in claim 2 further comprising two pressure members slidably supported in said grooves by their ends and lying parallel to said sheet support members between said two groups, said pressure members being larger and more rigid than said sheet support members, said spring members comprising compression springs located between and bearing against said pressure members so as to urge each pressure member and its adjacent group of sheet support members toward the adjacent end frame member.

4. A holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sheet support members are wood slats.

5. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of said sheet support members are beveled or rounded along at least some of their longitudinal edges so as to facilitate entry of a member between the edges of adjacent sheet support members to wedge them apart.

6. A holder as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a support frame rotatably supporting said holder frame for rotation about an axis transverse to said side frame members such that said holder frame can be oriented horizontally with one face up for insertion of a sheet like member, vertically for storage, or horizontally with its opposite face up for viewing of sheet like members supported thereby.

7. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring members are compression springs.

8. A holder for sheet like materials comprising a holder frame having two spaced elongate parallel side frame members, a multiplicity of separate elongate sheet supporting members, means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members adjacent their opposite ends by respective ones of said frame members such that said sheet supporting members extend transversely between said side frame members in side-by-side laminar relationship but are freely slidable in directions transversely of their length and along the lengths of said two side frame members, said means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members comprising grooves formed in facing surfaces of said side frame members and slidably embracing the ends of said sheet supporting members, at least one cross frame member extending transversely between said side frame members and rigidly fixed thereto, spring means for resiliently urging said sheet supporting members into abutting engagement with adjacent sheet supporting member and for urging said sheet support members slidably toward said cross frame member, whereby adjacent ones of said sheet supporting members can be slidably separated to permit insertion of a sheet like member therebetween to be gripped and supported therebetween when said sheet supporting members are released and permitted to move back toward each other under the urging of said resilient means, without affecting any sheet like members gripped between other sheet support members, a notch being located in each side frame member opening into the groove therein, the notches in the two side frame members being located so as to permit insertion or removal of a sheet support member into or from said groove.

9. A holder as claimed in claim 8 wherein a cross frame member normally closes said notches but is movable to a position to open said notches.

10. A holder for sheet like materials comprising a holder frame having two spaced elongate parallel side .,frame members, a multiplicity of separate elongate sheet supporting members, means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members adjacent their opposite ends by respective ones of said frame members such that said sheet supporting members extend transversely between said side frame members in side-by-side laminar relationship but are freely slidable in directions transversely of their length and along the lengths of said two side frame members, a cross frame member extending transversely between said side frame members intermediate the ends of said side frame members and separating said sheet support members into two groups, and spring means for urging each group toward said cross frame member and urging the sheet supporting members into abutting engagement with adjacent sheet supporting members, whereby adjacent ones of said sheet supporting members can be slidably separated to permit insertion of a sheet like member therebetween to be gripped and supported therebetween when said sheet supporting members are released and permitted to move back toward each other under the urging of said resilient means, without affecting any sheet like members gripped between other sheet support members.

11. A holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members comprise grooves formed in facing surfaces of said side frame members and slidably embracing the ends of said sheet supporting members, further comprising pressure members slidably supported with their ends in said grooves and each located outwardly of a respective group of sheet support members, and wherein said spring means bear against said pressure members to ented horizontally with one face up for insertion of a sheet like member, vertically for storage, or horizontally with its opposite face up for viewing of sheet like members supported thereby. 

1. A holder for sheet like materials comprising a holder frame having two spaced elongate parallel side frame members, a multiplicity of separate elongate sheet supporting members, means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members adjacent their opposite ends by respective ones of said frame members such that said sheet supporting members extend transversely between said side frame members in side-by-side laminar relationship but are freely slidable in directions transversely of their length and along the lengths of said two side frame members, two end frame members extending transversely between said side frame members and rigidly fixed thereto adjacent the ends of said side frame members, and means for resiliently urging said sheet supporting members into abutting engagement with adjacent sheet supporting meMbers, said resilient means comprising spring members located intermediate the end frame members, separating the sheet supporting members into at least two groups, and resiliently urging each group slidably toward its adjacent end frame member, whereby adjacent ones of said sheet supporting members can be slidably separated to permit insertion of a sheet like member therebetween to be gripped and supported therebetween when said sheet supporting members are released and permitted to move back toward each other under the urging of said resilient means, without affecting any sheet like members gripped between other sheet support members.
 2. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members comprise grooves formed in facing surfaces of said side frame members and slidably embracing the ends of said sheet supporting members.
 3. A holder as claimed in claim 2 further comprising two pressure members slidably supported in said grooves by their ends and lying parallel to said sheet support members between said two groups, said pressure members being larger and more rigid than said sheet support members, said spring members comprising compression springs located between and bearing against said pressure members so as to urge each pressure member and its adjacent group of sheet support members toward the adjacent end frame member.
 4. A holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sheet support members are wood slats.
 5. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of said sheet support members are beveled or rounded along at least some of their longitudinal edges so as to facilitate entry of a member between the edges of adjacent sheet support members to wedge them apart.
 6. A holder as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a support frame rotatably supporting said holder frame for rotation about an axis transverse to said side frame members such that said holder frame can be oriented horizontally with one face up for insertion of a sheet like member, vertically for storage, or horizontally with its opposite face up for viewing of sheet like members supported thereby.
 7. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring members are compression springs.
 8. A holder for sheet like materials comprising a holder frame having two spaced elongate parallel side frame members, a multiplicity of separate elongate sheet supporting members, means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members adjacent their opposite ends by respective ones of said frame members such that said sheet supporting members extend transversely between said side frame members in side-by-side laminar relationship but are freely slidable in directions transversely of their length and along the lengths of said two side frame members, said means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members comprising grooves formed in facing surfaces of said side frame members and slidably embracing the ends of said sheet supporting members, at least one cross frame member extending transversely between said side frame members and rigidly fixed thereto, spring means for resiliently urging said sheet supporting members into abutting engagement with adjacent sheet supporting member and for urging said sheet support members slidably toward said cross frame member, whereby adjacent ones of said sheet supporting members can be slidably separated to permit insertion of a sheet like member therebetween to be gripped and supported therebetween when said sheet supporting members are released and permitted to move back toward each other under the urging of said resilient means, without affecting any sheet like members gripped between other sheet support members, a notch being located in each side frame member opening into the groove therein, the notches in the two side frame members being located so as to permit insertion or removal of a sheet support member into or from said groove.
 9. A holder as claimed in claim 8 wherein a cross frame member normally clOses said notches but is movable to a position to open said notches.
 10. A holder for sheet like materials comprising a holder frame having two spaced elongate parallel side frame members, a multiplicity of separate elongate sheet supporting members, means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members adjacent their opposite ends by respective ones of said frame members such that said sheet supporting members extend transversely between said side frame members in side-by-side laminar relationship but are freely slidable in directions transversely of their length and along the lengths of said two side frame members, a cross frame member extending transversely between said side frame members intermediate the ends of said side frame members and separating said sheet support members into two groups, and spring means for urging each group toward said cross frame member and urging the sheet supporting members into abutting engagement with adjacent sheet supporting members, whereby adjacent ones of said sheet supporting members can be slidably separated to permit insertion of a sheet like member therebetween to be gripped and supported therebetween when said sheet supporting members are released and permitted to move back toward each other under the urging of said resilient means, without affecting any sheet like members gripped between other sheet support members.
 11. A holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means slidably supporting said sheet supporting members comprise grooves formed in facing surfaces of said side frame members and slidably embracing the ends of said sheet supporting members, further comprising pressure members slidably supported with their ends in said grooves and each located outwardly of a respective group of sheet support members, and wherein said spring means bear against said pressure members to force them and their groups toward said cross frame members.
 12. A holder as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a support frame rotatably supporting said holder frame for rotation about an axis transverse to said side frame members such that said holder frame can be oriented horizontally with one face up for insertion of a sheet like member, vertically for storage, or horizontally with its opposite face up for viewing of sheet like members supported thereby. 